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News Air ambulance move objections
OWLS and objections could scup- per plans by the Kent, Sussex and SurreyAirAmbulance to relocate to a site on the fringes of Laddingford. KSSAA wants to develop a site at
Old Hay, offWillow Lane, as itsnew headquarters, movingaway from its current dual bases at nearby Marden and Redhill. Both PaddockWoodTown Coun-
cil and Horsmonden Parish Council havenowobjected to the proposal in the light of new information pre- sented, but Yalding and Ladding- ford PC has stuck with its original “no comment”. Willow Lane resident Tim Ornel-
las, who has made an official com- plaint to Yalding and Laddingford Parish Council about its decision, said: “Yalding did not accept that anynewinformation should change their original view, which is quite amazing. “I have officially complained on
the grounds that, in the time it took them to access, given the documents that would be required to be both read and fully understood, they did not act in the best interests of all Yalding PC residents, especially those living inWillow Lane.” The application site is within the boundary of Tunbridge Wells Bor- ough Council (TWBC), which will
consider the planning application. There are almost 200 documents associated with the application – many of them letters of objection from residents in the area, but whose homes fall within the Maidstone borough boundary. No residents in Willow Lane re-
ceived notification from TWBC, de- spite the nearest residents living less than 100 yards from the site and all other residents living less than three quarters of a mile away. Most affected would be the 21 res-
idents ofPark Farm, in Queen Street, which is 800m from the proposed helicopter pad and 150m from the
helicopter’swesterly flight path. Mr Ornellas said: “TWBC, MBC
and Swale Borough Council are all meant to collaborate, especially on cross-boundary issues. Clearly, this did not happen andwhenTWBCin- formed MBC, MBC failed to act as they should have.” The air ambulance states that one
of the main reasons to choose the Old Hay site is that it is an airfield. But Mr Ornellas said: “This is wrong. It is an agricultural site that mayoperate as a landing strip forup to 28 days in any given year.” As well as the residents whose lives would be disrupted, it hasnow
transpired there are families of owls less than 500m from the site. Mr Ornellas said: “Helicopters
and owls do not gowell together.” Headded: “I find it hard to believe
that such a rural location, not close to a hospital and surrounded by sin- gle track or otherwise poorly-main- tained roads, is the ideal place for a day and night flying operation.” Leader of Maidstone’s Conserva-
tive group and ward member for Marden andYalding, CllrAnnabelle Blackmore said there were many people in Marden, including her, whowanted the air ambulance to re- main in Pattenden Lane.
MP’s dog steals the show at grooming salon
MAIDSTONEMP Helen Grant (pictured far right) and her Border terrier Charlie were guests of honour at the Grand Opening of Victoria Paws Dog Salon in Barming. Charlie, who was also Parliamentary Dog
of the Year 2010, and her owner were among 40 guests arriving throughout the day with offerings of champagne, cakes and party bags. A successful raffle at the event raised
nearly £400 for The Dogs Trust. Victoria Parkin, proprietor of Victoria
Paws, provides one-to-one dog grooming services for dogs of all sizes.
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